X-ray computed tomography apparatus, medical image processing apparatus, X-ray computed tomography method, and medical image processing method

ABSTRACT

An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes, an X-ray source which irradiates an object with X-rays spreading in a slice direction, an X-ray detector including a plurality of X-ray detection elements which are juxtaposed in the slice direction and detect X-rays transmitted through the object, a reconstruction unit which includes a back-projection unit which obtains back-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixels defined in an imaging area by performing back projection of data acquired by the X-ray detector and an interpolation unit which interpolates the data, and performs reconstruction processing for an image, and a setting unit which sets central positions of a plurality of pixels in the imaging area in the reconstruction processing to positions offset from positions corresponding to centers of the X-ray detection elements in the slice direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2008-315995, filed Dec. 11, 2008;and No. 2009-269729, filed Nov. 27, 2009, the entire contents of both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an X-ray computed tomography apparatus,medical image processing apparatus, X-ray computed tomography method,and medical image processing method which scan objects with X-rays.

2. Description of the Related Art

Among X-ray computed tomography apparatuses like that disclosed in, forexample, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-19425, athird-generation scanning system is known, which includes an X-ray tubeincluding an X-ray source to produce an X-ray fan beam and aone-dimensional array X-ray detector to acquire projection data fromvarious angles while rotating around an object.

There are available, for example, a conventional scanning system inwhich an X-ray tube revolves on the same circular orbit and a helicalscanning system defined as a scanning system in which an X-ray sourceand a one-dimensional array X-ray detector continuously rotate around anobject, and a bed on which the object is placed moves along the bodyaxis in synchronism with the rotation.

In addition, a conic beam scanning system (also called a multi-slicescanning system) is known, in which an X-ray source to produce an X-rayconic beam in a conical shape is combined with a two-dimensional arraydetector having a plurality of one-dimensional array detectors stackedin N arrays in the Z-axial direction, and projection data is acquiredwhile the X-ray source and the detector keep facing each other androtate around an object.

Considering an X-ray beam striking a given detector array, a basic slicethickness in the conic beam scanning system is defined as a thickness inthe Z-axial direction when the X-ray beam passes through the rotationcenter (Z-axis), and an imaging area FOV in the conic beam scanningsystem is defined as a cylinder having a radius co centered on theZ-axis.

As a reconstruction processing method to be used when a conic beamscanning system is implemented by a conventional scanning system, theFeldkamp (FDK) reconstruction method is known.

This FDK reconstruction method is an approximate three-dimensionalreconstruction algorithm obtained by extending a fan beam (within atwo-dimensional plane) reconstruction algorithm, which is amathematically strict reconstruction method, in the Z-axial direction.This algorithm includes the following steps 1, 2, and 3: (1) multiplyingthe weighted projection data of projection data by a value dependent ona Z-coordinate; (2) performing convolution computation between the dataobtained in step 1 and the same reconstruction function as the fan beamdata (convolution computation); and (3) performing back projection ofthe data obtained in step 2 onto a path through which the X-rays havepassed (from the focus to each channel of the detector). Back-projectionprocessing is performed through 360°.

In these reconstruction methods, the central position of each voxel inthe imaging area FOV is generally set in correspondence with the centralposition of a corresponding X-ray detection element of the X-raydetector. That is, the center of each voxel is defined on a lineconnecting a corresponding X-ray detection element and the X-ray focus.In this case, an X-ray beam has a conic beam shape spreading in theslice direction. Owing to this spread, the degree of interpolationvaries depending on the position of each detection element in the slicedirection.

The above techniques, however, have the following problem. That is,interpolation becomes uneven depending on the positions of detectionelements in the slice direction. For example, almost no interpolation isperformed at the central position. This degrades an image SD near theaxis of rotation, which is the central position, and the mid-plane,which is a central cross-section in the array direction of the detector.When this is expressed in MIP, a cross-shaped artifact occurs at thecentral position, as shown in FIG. 12.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An example of the present invention is an X-ray computed tomographyapparatus comprising, an X-ray source which irradiates an object withX-rays spreading in a slice direction;

an X-ray detector comprising a plurality of X-ray detection elementswhich are juxtaposed in the slice direction and detect X-raystransmitted through the object, a reconstruction unit which comprises aback-projection unit which obtains back-projection data relating to eachof a plurality of pixels defined in an imaging area by performing backprojection of data acquired by the X-ray detector and an interpolationunit which interpolates the data, and performs reconstruction processingfor an image, and a setting unit which sets central positions of aplurality of pixels in the imaging area in the reconstruction processingto positions offset from positions corresponding to centers of the X-raydetection elements in the slice direction.

An another example of the present invention is a medical imageprocessing apparatus comprising, a storage unit which stores dataacquired by an X-ray CT apparatus, a reconstruction unit which comprisesa back-projection unit which obtains back-projection data relating toeach of a plurality of pixels defined in an imaging area by performingback projection of the acquired data and an interpolation unit whichinterpolates the data, and performs reconstruction processing for animage; and

a setting unit which sets central positions of a plurality of pixels inthe imaging area in the reconstruction processing to positions offsetfrom positions corresponding to centers of the X-ray detection elementsof the X-ray CT apparatus in the slice direction.

An another example of the present invention is an X-ray computedtomography method using an X-ray computed tomography apparatus, themethod comprising, irradiating an object with X-rays spreading in aslice direction, detecting X-rays transmitted through the object byusing an X-ray detector comprising a plurality of X-ray detectionelements which are juxtaposed in the slice direction, performingreconstruction processing for an image comprising obtainingback-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixels definedin an imaging area by performing back projection of the data acquired indetecting and interpolating the data, and setting central positions of aplurality of pixels in the imaging area in the reconstruction processingto positions offset from positions corresponding to centers of the X-raydetection elements in the slice direction.

An another example of the present invention is a medical imageprocessing method using a medical image processing apparatus, the methodcomprising, storing data acquired by an X-ray CT apparatus, performingreconstruction processing for an image comprising obtainingback-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixels definedin an imaging area by performing back projection of the acquired dataand interpolating the data, and setting central positions of a pluralityof pixels in the imaging area in the reconstruction processing topositions offset from positions corresponding to centers of the X-raydetection elements in the slice direction.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the general description given above and the detaileddescription of the embodiments given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an X-ray computedtomography apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the gantryof the X-ray computed tomography apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the two-dimensional array X-ray detectorof the X-ray computed tomography apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reconstruction processingaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the positional relationship between imagepositions and detection elements in the reconstruction processing;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the relationship between X-ray beams andreconstruction voxels in the reconstruction processing;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the relationship between an X-ray beam and areconstruction voxel in the reconstruction processing when viewed from adirection perpendicular to the Z-axis;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the relationship between an X-ray beam and areconstruction voxel in the reconstruction processing when viewed from adirection perpendicular to the X direction;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the noise of reconstructed volume dataobtained by reconstruction processing according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an MIP image of reconstructed volume dataobtained by reconstruction processing according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a graph showing noise in an example of reconstructed volumedata;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an MIP image of an example of reconstructedvolume data;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the offsets andnoise differences of reconstructed volume data; and

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the back-projection processingaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to the views of the accompanying drawing.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an X-ray computedtomography apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the gantry in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective viewof the two-dimensional array detector in FIG. 1.

A gantry 1 as a projection data measurement system accommodates an X-raysource 3 which produces an X-ray beam having a pyramidal shape spreadingin the array direction so as to irradiate a plurality of detector arrayswith the X-rays and a two-dimensional array X-ray detector 5 having aplurality of detection elements 5 a arrayed two-dimensionally.

The X-ray source 3 and the two-dimensional array X-ray detector 5 aremounted on a rotating ring 2 while facing each other through an objectplaced on a slide top of a bed 6.

The two-dimensional array X-ray detector 5 is mounted on the rotatingring 2 while a plurality of arrays of one-dimensional array detectors,each having a plurality of detection elements 5 a arrayedone-dimensionally, are stacked on each other. In this case, onedetection element 5 a is defined as an element corresponding to onechannel. X-rays from the X-ray source 3 are applied to an object throughan X-ray filter 4. The two-dimensional array X-ray detector 5 detectsthe X-rays passing through the object as an electrical signal.

An X-ray controller 8 supplies a trigger signal to a high-voltagegenerator 7. The high-voltage generator 7 applies a high voltage to theX-ray source 3 at the timing of reception of the trigger signal. Thismakes the X-ray source 3 emit X-rays.

A gantry bed controller 9 controls the rotation of the rotating ring 2of the gantry 1 and the sliding of the slide top of the bed 6. A systemcontroller 10 as a control center for the overall system controls theX-ray controller 8 and the gantry bed controller 9 to repeat circularorbit scanning and the movement of the bed 6 in the body-axialdirection. That is, the system controller 10 performs wide-rangescanning operation by repeatedly circular orbit scanning operation inwhich the rotating ring 2 rotates at a predetermined angular velocityand the X-ray source 3 intermittently emits X-rays and moving the slidetop in the body-axial direction at a predetermined velocity.

A data acquisition unit 11 amplifies an output signal from thetwo-dimensional array X-ray detector 5 and converts the signal into adigital signal for each channel. A reconstruction processing unit 12receives the projection data output from the data acquisition unit 11.

The reconstruction processing unit 12 includes a storage unit 12 a, aback-projection processing unit (back-projection unit) 13, aninterpolation processing unit (interpolation unit) 14, a determinationprocessing unit 15, and a setting unit 16. The reconstruction processingunit 12 performs reconstruction processing by a conic beamreconstruction method (Feldkamp (FDK) reconstruction method) whichproduces a CT image by performing back-projection processing inconsideration of the conic angle of an X-ray beam, including theback-projection processing of obtaining back-projection data reflectingan X-ray absorbance for each voxel V based on projection data and theinterpolation processing of interpolating the back-projection data. Thereconstruction processing unit 12 functions as a medical imageprocessing apparatus.

The back-projection processing unit 13 obtains back-projection datarelating to each of a plurality of pixels defined in an imaging area byperforming back projection of the acquired data. The interpolationprocessing unit 14 interpolates the data. The determination processingunit 15 determines whether an acquired image interval dZ is equal to adetector acquisition array width SW. The setting unit 16 sets thecentral positions of a plurality of pixels in an imaging area inreconstruction processing based on the determination result.

An image reconstruction method according to this embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showinga procedure for reconstruction processing in this embodiment. FIG. 5 isa view showing the positional relationship between image positions anddetection elements in reconstruction processing. FIG. 6 is a view forexplaining calculated X-ray paths. FIGS. 7 and 8 are views forexplaining extrapolation processing.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, first of all, in step ST1, theinformation of the image interval (pixel pitch) dZ is acquired. In thiscase, the image interval dZ is equal to a basic slice width SW, and isdesignated by, for example, input operation via an input device 17 bythe user.

In step ST2, the information of the detector acquisition array width(detection element pitch) SW is acquired. In this case, this informationis, for example, 0.5 mm.

In step ST3, this apparatus performs the determination processing ofdetermining whether the image interval dZ and the detector acquisitionarray width SW, which are respectively acquired in steps ST1 and ST2described above, are equal to each other.

If it is determined in step ST3 described above that the image intervaldZ is equal to the detector acquisition array width SW (YES in stepST3), the setting unit 16 sets, in step ST4, image position to ¼*dZ+n*dZwhen the position of the mid-plane (central cross-section in the arraydirection of the detector) is defined by Z=0. n is an integer.

As indicated by the broken line in FIG. 6, the position of a center Vcof each voxel V in the imaging area defined by the back-projection datais defined based upon a position which is located on a line segmentpassing through a center C of a corresponding X-ray detector element 5 aand an X-ray focus F in the slice direction and is offset from theposition where the line segment intersects an axis of rotation Z by ¼the image interval dZ (¼ the basic slice thickness) in the slicedirection.

If it is determined in step ST3 described above that the image intervaldZ is different from the detector acquisition array width SW (NO in stepST3), the setting unit 16 sets, in step ST5, image position to ½*dZ+n*dZwhen the position of the mid-plane is defined by Z=0, as shown in FIG.5. That is, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6, the position ofthe center Vc (center of each pixel) of each voxel V is set based on aposition which is located on a line segment passing through the center Cof a corresponding X-ray detector element 5 a and the X-ray focus F, andat the position where the line segment intersects the axis of rotationZ.

FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between image positions anddetection elements in a case in which image position is set to ½*dZ+n*dZin step ST5 (which corresponds to a case in which offset=0 in Equation 6to be described later) and a case in which image position information isset to ¼*dZ+n*dZ in step ST4 (which corresponds to a case in whichoffset=0.25 in Equation 6). FIG. 5 shows the positional relationshipbetween image positions and detection elements in a case in whichoffset=−0.25 in Equation 6 and image position is set to ¾*dZ+n*dZ and acase in which offset=0.5 in Equation 6 and image position is set ton*dZ.

In step ST6, the defined positional information of the voxel V, i.e.,the image position, is sent to the reconstruction processing unit 12.

In step ST7, this method performs reconstruction processing by the conicbeam reconstruction method (Feldkamp (FDK) reconstruction method) ofproducing a CT image by performing back-projection processing inconsideration of the conic angle of an X-ray beam. The FDKreconstruction method multiplies the weighted projection data ofprojection data by a value dependent on a Z-coordinate, and thenperforms convolution computation between this data and the samereconstruction function as the fan beam data (convolution computation).This method further performs the back-projection processing ofperforming back projection of the data obtained by the convolutioncomputation onto a position offset from the path through which the X-raybeam has passed (from the focus to a channel of the detector) by ¼ theimage interval dZ (basic slice thickness).

A specific example of back-projection processing will be described withreference to FIGS. 6 to 8 and 14. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing therelationship between X-ray beams and reconstruction voxels in a givenview I (rotational angle of the X-ray source 3 when the vertex positionis set to, for example, 0°. FIG. 7 is a view showing the relationshipbetween an X-ray beam and a reconstruction voxel in a given phase (givenview I) when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis. FIG. 8is a view showing this relationship when viewed from a directionperpendicular to the X direction.

Note that in a scanning system using X-rays in a pyramidal shape likethat in this embodiment, the imaging area (effective field of view) isformed into a cylindrical shape having a radius co centered on an axisof center of rotation, and the reconstruction processing unit 12 definesa plurality of voxels V (stereoscopic pixels or pixels) in this imagingarea and obtains back-projection data for each voxel V. Note that thecentral positions Vc of the plurality of voxels V defined in this caseare set as image positions, and the position information of each voxel Vis set as image position information.

Consider back projection of the projection data of a view correspondingto the voxel V indicated by the hatching. Let C be a point where anextension of a straight line connecting the X-ray focus F and the centerof the voxel V intersects the detector surface.

The point C exists on the nth and (n+1)th channels in the channeldirection, and on the first array in the Z-axial direction. The point Cis located on the upper side of the central Z-coordinate of theuppermost detector array.

According to Equation 1, back-projection data Back (I) is obtained byextrapolating four data of the nth and (n+1)th channels of the first andsecond arrays using the inverse ratios of the distances.

$\begin{matrix}{{{Back}(I)} = {{- {\frac{Z(1)}{{Z(2)} - {Z(1)}}\lbrack {{\frac{L( {n + 1} )}{{L( {n + 1} )} + {L(n)}}{D( {n,2} )}} + {\frac{L(n)}{{L( {n + 1} )} + {L(n)}}{D( {{n + 1},2} )}}} \rbrack}} + {\frac{Z(2)}{{Z(2)} - {Z(1)}}{\quad\lbrack {{\frac{L( {n + 1} )}{{L( {n + 1} )} + {L(n)}}{D( {n,1} )}} + {\frac{L(n)}{{L( {n + 1} )} + {L(n)}}{D( {n + 1} )}}} \rbrack}}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} )\end{matrix}$

where Z(1) and Z(2) are the distances from the channel centers of themth and (m+1)th arrays to the point C in the Z-direction, and L(n) andL(n+1) are the distances from the centers of the nth and (n+1)thchannels to the point C on an X-Y plane.

When the intersection is located below the channel center of thelowermost array of the detector, it is possible to perform extrapolationin the same manner as described above and perform substitutions ofZ(1)→Z(N) and Z(2)→Z(N−1) in Equation 1.

This apparatus performs back-projection processing through 360° andproduces reconstructed volume data from these back-projection data. Instep ST8, the three-dimensional image data or tomographic data havingundergone reconstruction processing is sent to a display device 18 anddisplayed as a three-dimensional image or tomogram.

In the back-projection processing described above, a specific Z-positionat which data is to be used for back projection is calculated byEquation 2. When back projection is to be performed for a voxel at aposition spaced apart from the mid-plane by z and from the rotationcenter by r as shown in FIG. 14, a Z-position Z_(D) of a point where anextension of a line connecting the X-ray source and the voxel intersectsthe detector can be calculated by Equation 2.

$\begin{matrix}{{Z_{D}( {r,z} )} = {\frac{FCD}{{FCD} - r} \cdot z}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} )\end{matrix}$

Based on the result obtained by Equation 2, this apparatus thencalculates “how much Z_(D) is spaced apart from neighboring pixel?”using Equation 3. The nearer this value to 0 or 1, the weaker theinfluence of interpolation in the Z-direction. The nearer the value to0.5, the stronger the influence of interpolation. Let SW be a detectoracquisition slice width (=detector element pitch witch).

$\begin{matrix}{{{{\hat{Z}}_{D}( {r,z} )} = {{MOD}( {\frac{{Z_{D}( {r,z} )} + {0.5 \cdot {SW}}}{SW},1} )}}{{if},{{{\hat{Z}}_{D}( {r,z} )} > 0.5},{{{\hat{Z}}_{D}( {r,z} )} = {1 - {{\hat{Z}}_{D}( {r,z} )}}}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3} )\end{matrix}$

This apparatus then performs calculation using Equations 4 inconsideration of the influence of cancellation with back projection fromthe 180° opposite side.

$\begin{matrix}{{{{\hat{Z}}_{D}^{+}( {r,z} )} = {{\hat{Z}}_{D}( {r,z} )}}{{{\hat{Z}}_{D}^{-}( {r,z} )} = {{\hat{Z}}_{D}( {{- r},z} )}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 4} )\end{matrix}$

Note that since the X-ray dose is proportional to the inverse ratio ofthe square of image noise, a noise figure Noise(r, z) which the voxelhas is expediently defined like Equation 5.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the noise using Equation 5. The abscissarepresents z; and the ordinate, the noise. In this case, FCD=600 andSW=0.5.

$\begin{matrix}{{{Noise}( {r,z} )} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{{{\hat{Z}}_{D}^{+}( {r,z} )} + {{\hat{Z}}_{D}^{-}( {r,z} )}}{2}}}} & ( {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 5} )\end{matrix}$

FIG. 9 shows noise in a case (2) in which the interval dZ is set to 0.25mm when SW=0.5, and noise in a case (3) in which the interval dZ is setto 0.5 mm when SW=0.5, and the central position of each pixel is offsetby ¼ dZ. In these cases, the noise falls within about 2.

FIG. 11 shows, as a comparative example (1), noise in a case in whichthe interval is set to 0.5 mm when SW=0.5, and the central position ofeach pixel is set to a position corresponding to the center of acorresponding X-ray detection element. In this case, the noise increasesup to about 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the noise rapidly increases as zapproaches zero when the interval is 0.5 mm when SW=0.5. This isbecause, as defined by Equation 3, as z approaches zero, the influenceof interpolation in the Z-direction quickly decreases.

As shown in FIG. 9, the reconstructed image in this embodiment is freefrom such influence. Obviously, when the interval is 0.5 mm, it ispossible to prevent noise by offsetting the central position of eachpixel from a position corresponding to the center by ¼ the imageinterval.

FIG. 10 shows an image obtained by expressing the reconstructed volumedata obtained by the above operation in MIP. Since this MIP image isinterpolated uniformly as a whole, no artifact appears at the centralposition.

FIG. 12 shows, as a comparative example, an MIP image of thereconstructed volume data obtained by back projection onto a paththrough which X-rays have passed (from the focus to a channel of thedetector). In this reconstruction, since almost no interpolation isperformed for back-projection data corresponding to the detectionelement at the central position in the slice direction, an image SD nearthe axis of rotation as the central position and the mid-planedeteriorates. When this image is expressed in MIP, as shown in FIG. 12,a cross-shaped artifact is formed at the central position correspondingto a position near the axis of rotation and the mid-plane. Note thatthis artifact appears circular when viewed from the slice direction(Z-direction), and appears cross-shaped as shown in FIG. 12 when viewedfrom the directions indicated by arrows X and Y.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.That is, it is possible to reduce the unevenness of the degree ofinterpolation due to the differences in position between a plurality ofjuxtaposed detection elements by offsetting the position of each voxel Vin the imaging area subjected to back projection from a correspondingX-ray path by ¼ the image interval (slice thickness). This makes itpossible to eliminate or reduce artifacts appearing in an MIP image.This also allows to obtain the effect of maximizing the artifactreduction effect by setting the offsetting distance to ¼ the slicethickness.

Another embodiment will consider changes in noise with changes in offsetfrom the center of a corresponding X-ray detection element. Consider, inthis case, Equation 6 given below as an equation for setting the centralpositions of a plurality of pixels in an imaging area in reconstructionprocessing.z=SW/2−SW·Offset+SW·n(n=±0,±1,±2, . . . ,Offset=[0,0.25,0.5])  (Equation6)

where SW·offset is the offset. Since an image interval dZ is equal to adetector acquisition array width SW, SW is replaced with dZ. Note thatoffsets were set within the range of 0 to 0.5 in consideration ofsymmetry.

FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between image positions anddetection elements when the offset in Equation 6 is set to 0, 0.25,−0.25, and 0.5.

Assume that the central positions of a plurality of pixels in theimaging area in reconstruction processing each are set to SW/2 which isa position corresponding to the center of a corresponding X-raydetection element (are not offset). In this case, the offset is zero,which is equivalent to the case (1) in FIG. 11. In contrast, when eachimage position is offset from the center of a corresponding X-raydetection element by dZ/4, the offset is 0.25, which is equivalent tothe case (3) in FIG. 9. When the central positions of a plurality ofpixels are offset from the center of the corresponding X-ray detectionelement by dZ/2, the offset is 0.5. Although the offset direction can beeither the positive or negative direction, the following will exemplifya case in which the offset direction is the negative direction.

FIG. 13 is a graph obtained by calculating the maximum and minimumvalues of Noise ( ) calculated by Equation 6, in an interval [−10, 10],with both the image interval dZ and the detector acquisition array widthSW being set to 0.5 mm, and calculating the ratios of the maximum andminimum values. FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the offsets andnoise differences of reconstructed volume data obtained byreconstruction processing. The smaller this value, the smaller the noisedifference in the Z-direction, and the smaller the artifact. It isobvious from FIG. 13 that when offset=0, the noise difference islargest, and when offset=0.25, the noise difference is smallest, andthat the noise difference when offset=0.5 is larger than that whenoffset=0.25 but is smaller than that when offset=0.

It is therefore ideal to offset each image position from a correspondingnormal image position by ¼ the image interval dZ. However, it ispossible to obtain the same effect even by offsetting each imageposition by a value between ¼ the image interval dZ and ½ the imageinterval dZ.

In practicing the present invention, it is obvious that the constituentelements of the present invention, such as specific shapes including theforms of various members, can be variously changed and implementedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Althoughan X-ray conic beam in a pyramidal shape has been exemplified, thepresent invention can be applied to X-rays in a conical shape.

In addition, the algorithm and interpolation method to be used forreconstruction processing are not limited those described above.

The above embodiment has exemplified, as an especially effectiveexample, the case in which the offset is set to ¼ the image interval dZwhen SW=dZ. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Forexample, it is possible to change the offset in accordance with variousconditions. That is, the set value of image position in step ST4 in FIG.4 can be changed in accordance with various conditions. In this case aswell, it is possible to reduce the unevenness of the degree ofinterpolation due to the differences in position between a plurality ofjuxtaposed detection elements by setting the central positions of aplurality of pixels in an imaging area in reconstruction processing topositions offset from the positions corresponding to the centers ofX-ray detection elements in the slice direction. This makes it possibleto eliminate or reduce artifacts appearing in an MIP image.

It is obvious that the above embodiments can be variously modified andexecuted without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices,and illustrated examples shown and described herein. Accordingly,various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An X-ray computed tomography apparatuscomprising: an X-ray source which irradiates an object with X-raysspreading in a slice direction; an X-ray detector comprising a pluralityof X-ray detection elements which are juxtaposed in the slice directionand detect X-rays transmitted through the object; a reconstruction unitwhich comprises a back-projection unit which obtains back-projectiondata relating to each of a plurality of pixels having a predeterminedpitch and being defined in an imaging area by performing back projectionof data acquired by the X-ray detector, and an interpolation unit whichinterpolates the acquired data, and performs reconstruction processingfor an image; and a setting unit which sets central positions of theimaging area in the reconstruction processing to positions offset frompositions corresponding to centers of the plurality of X-ray detectionelements in the slice direction.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein if a pitch of the plurality of X-ray detection elements in theslice direction is equal to the pitch of the plurality of pixels in theslice direction, central positions of the plurality of pixels in theimaging area are offset from the positions corresponding to the centersof the plurality of X-ray detection elements in the slice direction, andif the pitch of the plurality of X-ray detection elements in the slicedirection is different from the pitch of the plurality of pixels in theslice direction, the central positions of the plurality of pixels in theimaging area are set to the positions corresponding to the centers ofthe plurality of X-ray detection elements.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein a position of a center of the X-ray detection elementis defined based on a position where a line segment connecting thecenter of the X-ray detection element and a focus of X-rays intersectsan axis of rotation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray source moves along acircular orbit relative to the object, and the X-ray detector comprisesa two-dimensional array X-ray detector comprising a plurality of X-raydetection elements arrayed two-dimensionally.
 5. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the central positions of the plurality of pixels inthe imaging area are set to positions offset from the positionscorresponding to the centers of the plurality of X-ray detectionelements in the slice direction by ¼ the pitch of the plurality ofpixels in the slice direction.
 6. A medical image processing apparatuscomprising: a storage unit which stores data acquired by an X-ray CTapparatus; a reconstruction unit which comprises a back-projection unitwhich obtains back-projection data relating to each of a plurality ofpixels having a predetermined pitch and being defined in an imaging areaby performing back projection of the acquired data, and an interpolationunit which interpolates the acquired data from the storage unit, andperforms reconstruction processing for an image; and a setting unitwhich sets central positions of the imaging area in the reconstructionprocessing to positions offset from positions corresponding to centersof a plurality of X-ray detection elements of the x-ray CT apparatus ina slice direction.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein if apitch of the plurality of X-ray detection elements in the slicedirection is equal to the pitch of the plurality of pixels in the slicedirection, central positions of the plurality of pixels in the imagingarea are offset from the positions corresponding to the centers of theplurality of X-ray detection elements in the slice direction, and if thepitch of the plurality of the X-ray detection elements in the slicedirection is different from the pitch of the plurality of pixels in theslice direction, the central positions of the plurality of pixels in theimaging area are set to the positions corresponding to the centers ofthe plurality of X-ray detection elements.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein a position of a center of the X-ray detection elementis defined based on a position where a line segment connecting thecenter of the X-ray detection element and a focus of X-rays intersectsan axis of rotation of an X-ray source and the X-ray detection element.9. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: an X-raysource of the X-ray CT apparatus moves along a circular orbit relativeto an object, and irradiates the object with X-rays spreading in theslice direction, and an X-ray detector of the X-ray CT apparatuscomprises a two-dimensional array X-ray detector comprising a pluralityof X-ray detection elements arrayed two-dimensionally.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the central positions of the plurality ofpixels in the imaging area are set to positions offset from thepositions corresponding to the centers of the plurality of X-raydetection elements in the slice direction by ¼ the pitch of theplurality of pixels in the slice direction.
 11. An X-ray computedtomography method using an X-ray computed tomography apparatus, themethod comprising: irradiating an object with X-rays spreading in aslice direction; detecting X-rays transmitted through the object byusing an X-ray detector comprising a plurality of x-ray detectionelements which are juxtaposed in the slice direction; performingreconstruction processing for an image comprising obtainingback-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixels definedin an imaging area by performing back-projection of the data acquired indetecting and interpolating the acquired data; and setting centralpositions of the imaging area in the reconstruction processing topositions offset from positions corresponding to centers of theplurality of x-ray detection elements in the slice direction.
 12. TheX-ray computed tomography method according to claim 11, wherein thecentral positions of the plurality of pixels in the imaging area are setto positions offset from the positions corresponding to the centers ofthe plurality of X-ray detection elements in the slice direction by ¼the pitch of the plurality of pixels in the slice direction.
 13. Amedical image processing method using a medical image processingapparatus, the method comprising: storing data acquired by an x-ray CTapparatus; performing reconstruction processing for an image comprisingobtaining back-projection data relating to each of a plurality of pixelsdefined in an imaging area by performing back-projection of the acquireddata and interpolating the acquired data; and setting central positionsof the imaging area in the reconstruction processing to positions offsetfrom positions corresponding to centers of a plurality of x-raydetection elements in a slice direction.
 14. The medical imageprocessing method according to claim 13, wherein the central positionsof the plurality of pixels in the imaging area are set to positionsoffset from the positions corresponding to the centers of the pluralityof X-ray detection elements in the slice direction by ¼ the pitch of theplurality of pixels in the slice direction.